By Milcah Tanimu

To mark World Humanitarian Day, officials from the Nigerian Government, the United Nations, and humanitarian partners gathered in Yola, Adamawa State, to emphasize the need for increased protection and support for aid workers and civilians, particularly those displaced by conflict.

Representing the Adamawa State Governor, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta stressed the importance of continued efforts to find lasting solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed M. Fall, called on all stakeholders—including government agencies, civil society, and international organizations—to collaborate in addressing the urgent needs of IDPs and working towards sustainable solutions.

The day’s activities included a visit led by Mr. Fall to a stabilization center where severely malnourished children are being treated. The center, supported by the Yola State Government, International Rescue Committee, UNICEF, and WHO, serves as a critical lifeline for children in need. Following this, the delegation visited the Malkohi IDP camp, where relief items were distributed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA) and EMNAMU Foundation. The visit also included a tour of a women’s safe space managed by UNFPA.

During his visit, Mr. Fall expressed deep concern over the severe malnutrition and food insecurity plaguing the region, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. With 4.8 million people projected to face food insecurity and 230,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition, he called for urgent action to address these challenges, highlighting the underfunded lean season response plan, which currently requires $306 million.

Permanent Secretary of FMHAPA, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, also emphasized the need for a renewed commitment to protect civilians in conflict zones, ensure the safety of aid workers, and mobilize the necessary resources to meet rising humanitarian demands. He urged for intensified peace-building efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict and violence in the region.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme, “Act for Humanity,” honors the dedication of humanitarian workers and the communities they serve, while calling on global leaders to prioritize their safety. The past year saw a record number of aid worker fatalities worldwide, with 280 killed in 33 countries, including four in northeast Nigeria alone. The region also suffered significant civilian casualties, with over 4,500 deaths reported due to conflict in 2023.